Ellen and Henry Campen
James and Dora Jean Bohannon Endowment
Both of Ellen’s brothers hold degrees from NC State, and the Campens’ youngest daughter is also a graduate. Neither Ellen or Henry have degrees from NC State. Ellen has undergraduate and graduate degrees respectively from UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke. Henry has an undergraduate degree from Wake Forest, a masters from American University, and a law degree from NC Central. They like to say that their family has the Big 4 covered!
Henry has been a member of the Poole College advisory board for 13 years. He also served on the University Board of Visitors for 8 years and presently serves on the University Foundation Board. Henry is also the Poole College representative on the Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign Cabinet. Ellen has been Henry’s partner in all of these volunteer efforts. She has opened their home to events for the Poole College of Management and the Park Scholars Program. Ellen and Henry share that their work on behalf of Poole College and NC State has been the most meaningful volunteer work they have ever undertaken – in lives full of community volunteering.
Impact
What inspired you to establish a scholarship at the Poole College of Management and what do you hope it will accomplish?
We have been inspired over our time as NC State volunteers by the tremendous impact of Poole College graduates and NC State graduates in general on our state, our nation and our world. “Think and Do the Extraordinary” is a perfect description of what happens on this campus. Our students think outside the box and generate innovative ideas that are converted into extraordinary, meaningful, impactful contributions to society.
Our family scholarship is named for Ellen’s Mom and Dad. James Bohannon was a graduate of the nuclear engineering program at NC State. He met his wife, Dora while he was a student. At the time she worked in the Alumni Office. Mr. Bohannon retired as a Colonel after a 25 year career in the Air Force and returned to NC State to teach nuclear engineering. He was instrumental in the design and construction of the nuclear reactor that remains on campus as a key component of the nuclear engineering curriculum. Mr. and Mrs. Bohannon came from modest backgrounds but had a lifelong thirst for learning. We believed that providing this scholarship was a perfect way to honor them by helping other young people improve their lives through a college education.